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A William III and Mary II patch box with beaded borders, floral engraved frieze and top by Francis Garthorne of London, circa 1695, initialled {EK}. The box is marked on both lid and base.

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Francis Garthorne was apprenticed to Robert King of the Girdlers' Company and was made free of the Company by service in 1663. He seems to have been a relation of George and John (made free of the Goldsmiths' Company in 1680 and 1694). Both Francis and his son Robert are listed as 'subordinate goldsmiths in the jewelhouse' (the department that organised the purchase of silver for the Royal family and their officers) sometime between 1702 and 1723.

Francis does not appear in the records of the Goldsmiths' Company as being fined for substandard wares, although there is a lot of evidence that he was trading as a plateworker. In 1682 he signed the Working Goldsmiths' petition against the strangers (primarily the Huguenots at this point) and his maker's mark appears on the mark plate started by the Goldsmiths' Company in 1682. In 1692 Francis was assessed for the Hearth Tax at an address in St. Swithin's Lane and is recorded as having a household consisting of 'a wife, child and three servants'. In 1697 he registered a Britannia standard maker's mark and he signed a similar petition to the he had in 1682 (this was followed by another in 1711). When use of the sterling standard was revived in 1720 Garthorne returned to his pre-1697 mark (including on a pair of communion flagons of 1725 noted by Arthur Grimwade).

Given Garthorne's apparently strong views on 'strangers' (in theory any non-freemen of the City of London but almost certainly aimed at the Huguenots). Given these views it is interesting to note that the engraving on this box is in a very Dutch style and so very likely by a 'stranger'.

A William IV rectangular engine-turned snuff-box with decorative borders made in Birmingham in 1834 by Edward Smith (marked in both lid and base), engraved on the lid with the name "R. James" and inside the lid "'2nd prize for men not exceeding 11st. This box was wrestled for by Cumberland and Westmoreland men residing in London, 24th March 1837".

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The Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling Society in London was founded by 1824, when the prizes and rules appear to have been codified for the first time.  The Society was “the only one existing in the metropolis that had for its object the practice and annual celebration of athletic sports ; and though in the present day the importance of athletic exercises in the promotion of health, and the due development of the physical powers, is becoming more acknowledged and appreciated, as shown in the establishment of Gymnasiums and Athletic Societies, both in London and elsewhere; yet, the above, as far as London itself is concerned, stands alone, both in point of influence, and the pre-eminent skill and science displayed in the performance of the particular exercises practised by its members.”. 

From 1824 the prizes were “a silver cup, two silver snuffboxes, and two gold seals, to be wrestled for, and a pair of gloves to be leapt for, on Good Friday... a cup be given to the best wrestler, a snuff-box to the second….”. 
In 1837 the wrestling took place on Good Fiday at Chalk Farm (then on the outskirts of London but now part of North London) and:

“the bridge over the London and Birmingham Railway was for some time blocked up with vehicles containing the more respectable portion of the spectators, amongst whom were noticed many officers of the Guards, who took a lively interest in the proceedings, in consequence of some of the " Blues " and " Reds " having entered their names as competitors. Between 6,000 and 7,000 people assembled round the spacious ring. A great number of ladies were present, who apparently took a lively interest in the sports. The celebrated Primrose Hill, which rears its head on the right, and every other eminence in the vicinity, bore their full quantum of spectators, who had not the needful to enable them to enter the enclosure…."

There was a dinner provided by the proprietors of the tavern, to which about 300 sat down. In the course of the evening the prizes were awarded to the successful men as follows : —

Men under 11 Stone.

First prize, a silver tankard . E. Dawson, Brampton

Second ditto, a silver snuff box R. James, d[itt]o.

Third ditto, a silver snuff box . J. Pearson, Longtown

Fourth ditto, a silver snuff box J. Butterwith, Kendal”.

This box, as the inscription records, is the second prize and was won by R. James of Bampton.  The Freeman’s Journal (Dublin) for 29th March records that the box was valued at 8 guineas and that the winner was Robert James . 

The Carlisle Patriot of 1st April 1837 gives further details about the event:

"twenty one persons contended… Robert James, the odd man, peeled with Blackett; the latter was floored… In the fifth round Robert James and Pearson came together, and as the wrestling for this class of prizes was fast drawing to a close, the interest considerably increased.  They went to work with caution, but both having hold, James struck his opponent inside the leg, and then hipped him. Edward Dawson and James now contended for the first prize. After both had showed some excellent play, Dawson struck his man a wipe across the shin, and then hipped him. Dawson as the victor of the 11 st. men, was surrounded by his friends, and on his success the crowd of spectators, which was immense in the first instance, had now considerably increased, and the ring was completely broken in. The stakes in many places were torn up, and the tables and forms stationed in various parts shared in the general destruction. Instead of the Stewards endeavouring to make another ring they retired to the tavern, and full an hour elapsed before they came again on the ground.  One of them, as an excuse for not proceeding with the business of the day, observed that they could not do so until the ring was made again as was certainly true but the question whose duty was it to endeavour to make the crowd keep to a ring? With all the respect we entertain for several of the Stewards, whom we have occasion to meet and often compliment in their exertions on similar occasions, we cannot help remarking, that in the discharge of their duties on Friday there was not only a want energy in their sustaining of order and regularity, but also a want of system by which the accomplishment of all they had in view might be fully carried into effect.  A ring was, however, made, thanks to the strenuous exertions of Spring, Burn, young Sam, Phil. Thom and one or two others, who, although they were present merely as spectators of the sports kindly lent a helping hand in thrusting and keeping back the crowd."

A man called “R. James”, presumably the same one, can be found in the records of the Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling Society as a Steward (judge) in 1835 and having proposed C. Gaddes as a Steward for 1837.  After that there are no apparent references to him.  A Robert James died near Bampton in 1839 and this may be a further reference to the same man.

A Victorian snuffbox with gilt interior, engraved body and an inset agate lid made in Birmingham in 1875 by George Unite (marked on both lid and base).

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A Charles II tubular counter box struck with a maker's mark on both the lid and body for Alexander Roode of London (active 1676-1717) circa 1680.

Price: £725.00

The research by Dr. David Mitchell and published in 2017 has given a very strong attribution of this mark to Alexander Roode of London. This mark is recorded on the 1682 mark plate held at Goldsmiths' Hall but is found on larger pieces, including a bowl, a flagon, a tankard and two porringers, assayed in 1677-1681. Another mark attributed to him is found on a trefid spoon of 1675 and a further one on a range of pieces assayed between 1682 and 1696. This suggests that this mark could have been in primary use from 1676 to 1682.

Roode was apprenticed to John Ruslen, a plateworker, for seven years in 1669 and received his freedom in 1676. He took 15 apprentices during his career and by 1692 was charged an extra 10s per quarter for the Poll tax as he had a net wealth of over £300. He is not recorded as having a wife and children but in 1697 employed 3 menservants (a category that included apprentices), one maid and the household included a kinsman or kinswoman (this this could have been Gundry Roode who was apprenticed to him in 1696). This was a substantial household.

In 1682 Roode had signed the Working Goldsmiths' Petition against the Strangers (primarily the Huguenots at this point) and in 1682 he was made a Liveryman of the Goldsmiths' Company. In 1697 he signed the Declaration of Loyalty to William III and in 1704 he was elected to the Court of Assistants of the Goldsmiths' Company (although he never served as a Warden). Roode's will was proved in 1717.

A George I patch box by TH of London (probably Francis Thompson), circa 1715 .
Price: £675.00

The Majority of patchboxes impressed with the head of a monarch in the early 18th century depict Queen Anne and are by TK (ascribed to Thomas Kedden or Kedder). This example is larger than the majority and depicts George I struck in a different die (without a beaded border). The maker's mark appears to be that of Francis Thompson who registered it in 1699 from an address in Abchurch Lane and was made a freeman of the Drapers Company (by patrimony) on 4th October 1699.

Four William IV cut glass boxes with silver lids decorated with cast borders and engine turned tops made in London in 1836 by Archibald Douglas (the larger pair, with pierced lids, measure 9.3 cm by 6.5 cm and the smaller ones 6cm by 5cm). All are engraved with the crest of the Pellew family.

Price: £575.00

The Pellew family were of Norman origin but were settled in Cornwall by the 16th century. Like many Cornish families the Pellews had a maritime focus- the first to come to major prominence was Edward Pellew (1757-1833) who joined the Royal Navy in 1770 and rose through the ranks to reach Post Captain in 1782. In 1793 he captured the Cleopatra, a French frigate of 63 guns, and received his knighthood. In 1796 Edward was created a baronet and, unusually, the crest he chose was very specific- it depicts the wrecking of the Dutton, a ship of the East India Company, off Plymouth in 1796. The rescue of the ship's crew, at significant personal risk, was one of Pellew's greatest triumphs. When he retired from active service in 1821 Pellew had served in many theatres of war- including being Commander in chief of the East Indies from 1804 to 1809, of the North Sea in 1810 and of the Mediterranean from 1811 to 1816. He was created a Knight Commander of the Bath in 1815, Grand Cross of the Bath in 1816 along with decorations from Spain, Naples, the Netherlands and Savoy.

In 1814, the same year he was made a full Admiral, Pellew was also created Baron Exmouth and granted a pension of £2,000 per year (to be inherited by the heirs to the title). This was followed by a Viscountcy of the same name in 1816.

The lack of a coronet on these boxes suggests that they were made for a junior member of the family. The 1st Viscount had three sons: Fleetwood Pellew (1789-1861) who became an Admiral, Reverend George Pellew (1793-1866) who became Dean of Norwich and the Reverend Edward William Pellew (1799-1869).

A Victorian silver-gilt toothpick box made in London in 1863 by Charles Rawlings and William Summers (marked on lid, base and side).
Price: £495.00

A George I patch box depicting the King by TK of London (ascribed to Thomas Kedden or Kedder), circa 1715, initialled {MP}.

Price: £500.00

The maker's mark TK (ascribed to Thomas Kedden or Kedder) is found on many patch boxes like this one. The majority of examples impressed with the head of a monarch in the early 18th century depict Queen Anne.

A circular box with enamelled decoration and impressed with a rose , circa 1680. Inside are a collection of toys, minute replicas of dining wares ─ 4 dinner plates, a salt cellar and two trefid spoons.
Price: £495.00

A circular silver pyx assayed in Sheffield in 1807 by Alexander Goodman and Company, engraved on the base with the crest of Weld and dated 1807.

Price: £465.00

John Weld, son of Thomas Weld and Mary (nee Massey-Stanley), was born in 1780 at the family seat of Lulworth Castle into a prominent recusant Catholic family. Thomas Weld had been educated at the school founded by the Jesuit Robert Parsons at St. Omer in 1593 (when no Roman Catholic schools were allowed in Britain) and when the school was dispossessed in the 18th century Thomas donated a family property, Stonyhurst in Lancashire, to them. This gift took place in 1794 and his 3rd son Thomas was an early student there. Thomas joined the Jesuit Order in 1803 and was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1807. He held the living of Stonyhurst and was 3rd President of the College before dying in 1816.

Other members of the family rose higher in the Catholic heirarchy or were more prominent in socity. John's elder brother Thomas (1773-1837) who, when he was widowed, was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1821, became Bishop of Amiclae in 1826 and was promoted to Cardinal in 1830. John's aunt by marriage was Maria Smyth (1756-1837) who was married to Edward Weld in 1775 (although he died a few months later) and then to Thomas Fitzherbert of Swinnerton from 1778-1781. As Mrs. Fitzherbert she came to national prominence as the mistress of the future George IV. He is supposed to have married her in 1785 (contrary to the Royal Marriages Act of 1772). Although their liaison apparently ended in 1794, when George IV's marriage under British law was being arranged, he still asked to be buried with a painted miniature of her eye in 1830. On his accession to the throne William IV offered to create Maria a Duchess but she refused and asked instead to be allowed to wear widow's weeds and to dress her servants in Royal livery.

A Victorian silver-gilt card case with engraved decoration made in Birmingham in 1858 by Aston and Sons.

Price: £395.00

A Victorian scissors case with engraved decoration and original velvet lining made in Birmingham in 1873 by Hilliard and Thomasson.

Price: £345.00

A curved snuff box with ribbed exterior, by John Reily London 1802, inscribed to the interior of the lid 'In Memory of James Kirton September 7th 1849'.
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James Kirton (c.1793-1849) died on September 7th 1849 and was buried 6 days later at St. Marylebone Parish Church in London. He had lived at 1 Great Portland Street where he traded as a stationer and had 'a ruled accompt book warehouse'. On his death he left everything to his sister Elizabeth and, if she should predecease him, he willed that there should be 'an equal division... among my brothers and sisters without distinction or partiality and I hope we shall all meet in heaven.' It is interesting to note that he was not the first member of the Kirton family to be in the paper trade as in the 1660s the diary of Samuel Pepys refers to Joshua Kirton as 'my bookseller' who traded from St. Paul's Churchyard.

A George III patchbox with bright-cut decoration made in Birmingham in 1798 by Samuel Pemberton (with full marks on the base and a maker's mark on the lid).

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A George III circular patchbox with bright-cut decoration made in Birmingham in 1816 by Samuel Pemberton (marked on both lid and base).

Price: £210.00

An Edward VII/George V small snuffbox engraved with the arms of the Latta family , by JB&Co and also stamped SILVER, circa 1910- for J. Boseck and Company of Kolkata (Calcutta).
Price: £195.00

Genealogical and archival sources record members of the Latta family in India from at least 1829 with several individuals serving in the East India Company and British armies.

A George III circular Old Sheffield Plate box, circa 1790, crested with a bird.
Price: £155.00

A George III circular patchbox with bright-cut decoration, unmarked circa 1790.

Price: £115.00

An Edward VII oak box (6 cm high) with a silver plaque (stamped Sterling) reading Oak taken from the foundations of Winchester Cathedral at time of its restoration, circa 1906.
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When Winchester Cathedral, the longest mediaeval cathedral and, briefly, the largest church in the world, was originally built in the late 11th century it was constructed on a bed of reeds. By the turn of the 20th century the building was in a parlous state and it was discovered that the whole structure was listing into the soft ground. In 1905 the estimated cost of the repair was £20,000. It was at this point that the use of a bed of reeds as foundations was discovered.

Initial attempts to stabilise the building using trenches and a steam pump proved to have the opposite effect and the building began to subside more quickly. In 1906 a request was made to William Walker (1869-1918), a very experienced diver, and for six years he worked beneath the cathedral in a primitive diving suit, which weighed 200 lbs when dry. His task was to remove the peat topsoil and then lay bags of cement to plug the water coming up from below- and all of this had to be done in pitch darkness for six to seven hours at a time. As it took him a long time to put on and take off his heavy diving suit, when he stopped for a break he would just take off his helmet in order to eat his lunch and smoke his pipe.When he had completed his work in 1911, the pump could be used safely to remove the water without disturbing the foundations.

When the First World War started Willam Walker served in the Navy but died in the 'Spanish Flu' epidemic of 1918.

This box is likely to have been made and sold by the Laverty Brothers, Winchester's chief woodworkers on behalf of the Cathedral Repair Fund. The brothers had a stand outside the west door of the Cathedral in 1906 and their sales raised over £2,000 for the Cathedral Repair Fund. A photograph of this stand can be found on page 83 of The Winchester Diver- The Saving of a Great Cathedral by Ian T. Henderson and John Crook (1984).

On a larger scale A Gong table made by the workmen from wood from the foundations was presented to Miss Marjorie Furneaux, daughter of the Dean of Winchester, on her marriage in 1911. This is illustrated on page 101 of The Winchester Diver.